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Commission gives green light for major sugar industry takeover

The European Commission has cleared the acquisition of the world’s largest sugar trader ED&F MAN by Europe’s largest sugar producer Südzucker and said it would raise no competition concerns on one condition.

Related news

Eight most innovative Sweets & Snacks: award winners

ConfectioneryNews.com presents a picture roundup of the eight new confectionery and snacks products that bagged innovation awards at the Sweet & Snacks Expo in Chicago last week. 

Market for UTZ certified cocoa doubles with Germany leading the way

Twice as much UTZ certified cocoa was sold to producers in 2011 compared to the previous year as demand for sustainable cocoa soared in Germany, according to the recently published UTZ Certified Annual Report 2011.

Zetar’s nuts hit by raw material price inflation

Zetar took a 5% hit in annual group revenue after exiting from low margin core commodity sales, particularly in processed and packed nuts, at the beginning of 2012.

Tamar eyes European market growth after Irish takeover

Tamar Labels said its takeover of self-adhesive label producer Labelit will open up new food and beverage market opportunities in Europe.

EFSA risk assessment of composite foods hazard to pave the way for harmonized EU regs

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has outlined a raft of key factors needed to assess the hazard posed by pathogens in composite foods after Brussels said it needed to develop harmonised risk-based rules for their import into the region.

Comment

Vitafoods: EU nutra space wriggles into new health claims clothes

Vitafoods celebrates its 15th birthday next week. It’ll be my 11th consecutive May visit to Geneva for the jamboree and promises to be one of the most intriguing chapters with the (partial and belated) resolution of years of ambiguity regarding health claims in Europe.

Global Industry News

Wild targets regional tastes with strawberry launch from FoodNavigator.com

Manufacturers of fruit gums, milk cream fillings and ice cream can now benefit from a range of natural strawberry flavours that has just been launched by flavours firm Wild in Germany.

Judge denies Hostess’ bid to reject Teamsters contracts from FoodNavigator-USA.com

Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain has denied Hostess Brands’ bid to scrap labor contracts for members of its largest union, the Teamsters, in a move that leaves Hostess having to rethink its options for exiting bankruptcy.

FDA reports concerns at Salmonella-linked Indian tuna scrape plant from FoodQualityNews.com

US food safety authorities have voiced concerns over unsanitary conditions at the India-based tuna scrape manufacturing plant at the centre of the Salmonella Bareilly outbreak in the US.

Film extends shelf life through high oxygen protection - ExxonMobil from FoodProductionDaily.com

ExxonMobil Chemical has launched a film which it claims will extend product shelf life due to high oxygen protection.

Spotlight

Chewing gum impairs short-term memory, says study

Chewing gum impairs short-term memory, says study

Chewing gum harms short-term memory contrary to previous studies that suggested gum could improve recall, according to...

Blommer predicts looming cocoa supply crisis

Blommer predicts looming cocoa supply crisis

Demand for cocoa is expected to climb 30% in the next 10 years creating a 25% shortage...

Soaring demand for sustainable cocoa prompts World Bank to invest $55m in cocoa trader

Soaring demand for sustainable cocoa prompts World Bank to invest $55m in cocoa trader

A division of the World Bank has acquired a stake in cocoa trader Armajaro Trading to support...

Louis Dreyfus to acquire Imperial Sugar as investors try to block deal

Louis Dreyfus to acquire Imperial Sugar as investors try to block deal

Commodities group Louis Dreyfus has reached an agreement to acquire refined sugar processor Imperial Sugar for around...

Hershey maps cocoa farms in Ghana with GPS as labour group doubts commitments

Hershey maps cocoa farms in Ghana with GPS as labour group doubts commitments

Chocolate giant Hershey has announced plans to use GPS mapping for cocoa farms in Ghana to help...

Top 9 US chocolate brands – consumer poll

Top 9 US chocolate brands – consumer poll

US consumers chose their most popular chocolate brands in a recently published consumer study.